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Is 2019 the year you’re planning the trip of a lifetime? Whether it’s exploring the world with friends or heading to a dream destination with your other half, there’s no doubt that the prospect of clear blue skies and fresh adventures is hugely enticing as we trudge our way through a dreary grey winter at home. But while the dreams are certainly there, are the funds? Going on your travels can be quite pricey, so making plans and saving up is a must for most of us. If you have the will and the commitment, you can make it happen – here’s how…

It’s all too easy to say to yourself that you’re going to save each payday, only to get to the end of the month and find you don’t have any cash left over to save for your trip. So the best thing to do is set up a separate savings account with a standing order for a set amount to come from the account you get paid into. You can also use an app like Moneybox, which lets you combine regular savings amounts with a feature which rounds up the change and saves it on any card purchase. Automate the process as much as possible to avoid the temptation of dipping into your savings for other reasons.

Make A Budget Plan

If you don’t know exactly how much you’re spending then you can’t make savings. So, coming up with a budget plan is vital. Start by looking at your last bank statement and noting down all of your bill amounts, any credit card payments or joint loans for couples you have. The amount left over is your discretionary spend. Look at areas like unused subscriptions you can cancel, or little spending habits like that weekly takeaway that add up. But remember it’s important not to cut out all the run – you’ll only resent it otherwise and end up breaking your spending plan.

Be Smart About Your Bookings

Shop around to find the best possible deals on everything – flights, accommodation, transfers and food. Look at the time of year you’re planning to travel – some places still have beautiful weather outside of the peak travel season when you’re likely to pick up better deals. With flights, if you choose not to fly direct sometimes you can save big with several smaller operators, or by picking less popular flight times. With your accommodation, investigate whether one of the new boutique hostels could be an option. They have sleek design but cost far less than a hotel.

Remind Yourself Why

Saving involves making little sacrifices quite often and sometimes it can be hard to stay on track. So it’s useful to remind yourself of the bigger picture. Try changing your phone wallpaper or your desktop at work to a picture of your dream destination, or start a Pinterest board of holiday outfits that you can look at whenever you feel discouraged. You’ll be sat on that beach before you know it!

As another year is coming towards the end, I wanted to express how thankful I am.

A year in which I have learned what’s important, and who’s important. A year in which I struggled, and I conquered. A year where I doubted myself, but I managed to rise again. A year which thought me to love unconditionally. To do right thing. To let go of those who brought negativity into my life. To let go of those who made me feel miserable. I have learned to focus on what I have, instead of what I don’t.

Instead of recapping this whole year, I will write about the future. There’s so much to look forward to in the coming year.

2019 is the year we have been working towards. The year we have been waiting eagerly for. 2019 is our year! It has a lot of firsts, and a lot of milestones for us. In 2019 I will…

♡ Get married to my soulmate! ♡

I will travel together with my husband-to-be for the first time outside of Europe!

We’ve all gone through tough times and it’s impossible to predict the next time you’re going through financial hardship. While your finances may be in perfect order now, you could find yourself on holiday and spend all your money at once – or you may have to pay up for something sudden and unexpected.

No matter what happens, though, the best solution is to come prepared. It’s going to save you from that dreaded feeling of panic as you realise that you won’t be able to make it to the end of the month, and you’ll feel way more comfortable in general.

Here is a handful of tried-and-tested tips to help you out when you’re in a pinch. That way, you’ll be able to take care of yourself no matter what.

#1 Find a few side-hustles

The great thing about technology these days is that you can actually make money whenever you feel like it. You just need to know where to look – and you have to have a few contacts up your sleeve.

Sure, you still have your actual job and you shouldn’t necessarily quit this to go all out with your side-hustle; this is all about having access to quick money without having to borrow it.

Think about the kind of skills you have that may be useful online, and hit the search engine to check out one of the trillion sites that offer a platform for freelancers and companies. Web design, programming, copywriting, SEO, and social media marketing – all of these are in high demand online.

The good news with these kinds of online jobs is, of course, that you can do them anywhere. Complete a few projects on your commute back home and boost your income significantly – it’s definitely going to come in handy when you really need it.

#2 Get a payday loan

If you’re not able to wait for that paycheck from your full-time job or your side-hustles, it’s time to dive a bit deeper into your options. A payday loan is a great idea when you really need it as you’re able to borrow a small amount on a very short notice.

It will come at a significant interest rate, though, so keep in mind that this option is suitable for desperate times. Read more about it and go to this page if you’re interested; it’s a great option to have handy in case you don’t have access to your credit card at the moment.

Before you apply for a short-term loan, remember that you have to pay it on time. If you should happen to be late, you’re going to have to pay way more than you originally thought – and your credit score is certainly going to suffer. Borrow money responsibly and use it as a lifeguard in case you have no other option.

#3 Sell some of your stuff

You don’t have to be into the minimalist lifestyle just to sell a bunch of your stuff. It does feel great to get rid of some things, though, and you can actually enjoy the feeling of decluttering your life while also making money; it’s therapy that you’re being paid for.

If you need money soon but not right now, this option is perfect for you. Simply check out one of the dozen platforms that offer a marketplace for buyers and sellers, check out what other sellers tend to price their items at (or just slice the amount you paid for it in half), take a few pictures, and wait for the emails to roll in.

Keep in mind that this might take a bit of time, depending on how lucky you are. Sometimes you’ll be approached by potential buyers right away – other times, you’re going to have to wait.

Use this as a way to plan for the month ahead if you see that you might struggle financially. That way, you’re taking care of yourself while also clearing up around the house. Electronics tend to sell a bit quicker, by the way, as well as any nostalgia-items you might have laying around. Check out the attic, in other words, and you should be good to go.

#4 Start a website

This is another tip that requires a certain amount of planning. You’re not going to make money from a website right away, that’s for sure – and you might even have to wait a few months before you start to make an actual income.

Yet, this is a great way to create a passive stream of money for the future, and particularly if you’ve been frustrated about a lack of money in the past. The website can be about anything you think you’ll be able to make money from; make it a DIY blog, a photography website, fill it with your cooking recipes, etc – you have a lot of options.

Have a look at this site if you’re not sure where to begin and keep in mind that this is something that will take a bit of time. The sooner you get started, the sooner you can enjoy the extra income, in other words.

#5 Get a part-time job

Want to significantly boost your income? Get a real part-time job and do something you love. The great thing about this option is that you get to enjoy the feeling of doing something that’s kind of relaxed and you don’t have to worry about working towards that promotion – you’re really just doing this for the money, after all.

If you’ve always loved the idea of working in a coffee shop, for example, get a job where you can work a few hours per week during the evening and maybe a day or two on the weekend.

That way, you have a flexible part-time job where you can smell the coffee and chit chat with others while actually making money. Boosting your income is actually not that hard as long as you’re willing to put in a little bit of work first.

Far too many people stay in bad relationships that end up affecting their mental health and ruining their chances in life. If you’re in one of those relationships at the moment; it is essential that you do something about it as soon as possible. Lots of women feel like they’re stuck, and so the information on this page should come in handy. The article explains why you need to get out of the relationship, and it also offers some advice on the methods and strategies you might like to consider. With that in mind, let’s get started!

Why you need to get out of your bad relationship

Confidence

People in adverse or negative relationships will always suffer a lack of confidence that can affect their lives in many different ways. You might never apply for that dream job, and you might never fulfill your ambitions of launching a company or volunteering and traveling the world.

Happiness

As mentioned a moment ago, bad relationships can affect your mental health and leave you feeling depressed or anxious. Unless you want to visit a therapist every week and take medication for the rest of your life; it is imperative that you remove yourself from the situation as soon as possible.

Opportunities

Being in a bad relationship can mean you never take up the opportunities available because you worry about their effect on your partner. That can mean you miss out on a lot of things that could change your life for the better.

How you should get out of your bad relationship

Stay with friends

You might feel like there is no hope and nowhere to go. However, most of us have understanding friends who will help out when we need them most. So, maybe you could go and stay with someone you know for a few weeks to get your head straight?

Accept a new job

Getting yourself out of your routine and putting yourself in a position to meet lots of new people is always a sensible move. Maybe you could accept a new job in a different city or something similar? Use that as an excuse to end the relationship and start over.

Get a divorce

If you made the mistake of marrying the wrong person; things could become a little more complicated. However, you just need to speak to a divorce lawyer and ask for their assistance. With a bit of luck, you can start the ball rolling in a matter of days, and you are sure to feel better straight away.

Now you know how and why you need to get out of your bad relationship; you should feel a little more confident in creating your plan of action. It could be good if you could sit down with the person, explain your problems, and iron them out. However, that isn’t always possible, and so sometimes you have to put yourself first. Whatever happens, ensure you make improvements in your life and avoid getting into relationships with the wrong people in the future.

Travelling is something that many people put off for longer than they should. And the main reason for that is they think it’s too expensive for them. However, that’s never a good excuse when you look at the variety of cheap travels that you can make the most out of these days. We’re going to talk about just some of the greatest cheap travel ideas that are certainly worth your time and consideration going forward. So read now to learn more; you won’t regret it because these ideas are all a lot of fun to try out.

Moving from one sofa to the next is now a viable way to travel for so many people. It’s all about finding people who will be happy to host you. There are now websites that are dedicated to this, and you often don’t have to pay anything at all to spend a night on someone’s sofa. It’s definitely something that’s worth looking into if you’ve never considered it before.

House Sitting

House sitting is all about taking care of someone’s house while they’re away. It couldn’t be simpler; the homeowner will save money and you’ll save money too because you’ll have free accommodation. It’s the perfect way to explore a place without having to spend any money at all on the place you’re staying at.

Head East

When you head further east, you’re more likely to have your money stretch further. It’s one of the best reasons to explore places in Eastern Europe. Places like Poland are cheap to visit, and your money can go a really long way in countries like Romania, Estonia and Latvia. These are beautiful countries with a lot to offer too, so don’t rule them out.

Go Camping

Camping is the perfect way for you to engage with nature once more and enjoy the simple life when you’re travelling. The beauty of the great outdoors will be more than enough to replace any of the modern comforts that you might usually crave when you’re travelling. All you need is a tent, sleeping bags, a stove and your car fitted with a rack, and you can learn more about that by following the link. There’s no need for anything more.

Staying With an Old Friend

If you have an old friend that lives in another part of the world, why not get back in touch and go visit them? It could give you the chance to explore a place that you’ve never been to before and you won’t have to pay for hotels or accommodation when you’re there.

Travelling and seeing the world the cheap way is definitely possible, so don’t listen to anyone who tells you it isn’t. You just need to find the right ways to travel and not worry about the little things. Each of these travel ideas will help you to get the most out of your travels and not have to deal with the huge dent in your bank balance.

Each holiday has at least one big highlight, and while we were in Sicily, one of the highlights was visiting Etna. I admit, it was long overdue – in fact, visiting Sicily was long overdue! I bet not many Maltese people can say that they have not been to Sicily by the age of thirty. The thing is, that I am fascinated with the UK, and I mostly ignored all other countries for a big chunk of my life. It was in 2016 that I started exploring properly and I have not looked back ever since.

We left Etna for our very last day, it being so close to Catania airport. We arrived at around 9:30AM after a two hours drive from where we were staying. The Etna car park, by the cable cars was almost full. It happened to be May the 1st, which is a bank holiday in most countries, so there were a lot of tourists there.

We bought our tickets and made our way to the queue for the cable cars. Once we were at a reasonable height, we queued again for 4×4-style buses. Most of the tourists were laughing hard while we made our way on what we could only describe as a bumpy ride! It took us to almost to the top of the volcano in no time. It was rather astonishing seeing people walking all the way up from ground level, seeing that Etna is 3,500 meters high up. I bet it takes most of the day going up and then down. We thought it was money well spent as this way we could enjoy walking around and inside the craters for a longer time.

As you set foot out of the bus, you realise that the temperature changed drastically. From almost 20 degrees to around 2 degrees! Once you get accustomed to the change of weather, you start to embrace the surroundings. The view is breathtaking, the colour of the gravel varies from black to red to yellow. I have never seen so many colours on such a huge stretch of mountain-like land. It was simply amazing being there. No words were enough to describe what we saw, what we felt being so high up, on such a clear day. You could see steam coming out, touching the floor underneath your feet feels warm. You could tell you are walking on top of an active volcano. A bit scary and risky, but it’s an experience I will never forget.

We spent roughly two hours walking and exploring, and around three hours in total including the transport. The souvenir shop comes highly recommended. While we were there we tried several liquors and the famous mandorla wine. We ended up buying some, as well as lava made statues and decor, adding onto the issue we already had since we traveled with just a hand-luggage for a five day long holiday! On the way down to the car-park, there is a restaurant which in our opinion had the best arancini in Sicily. Do give them a try if you feel peckish!

For many, the 19th of May meant nothing but the marriage of Prince Harry to Megan Markle. To myself, my partner and our families, it was the day of our Engagement Party. For us, it was a very important day, not just as a milestone in our relationship but also because we wanted to share this with our closest family and friends. We wanted them to be present and share with us the happiness and love such an event brings.

It was also the first time my partner, Daniel, met with my entire family – with all my uncles and aunties. I thought it is a very important step before our wedding day next year to get to know where I’ve come from.

Since we planned the party ourselves, the months which lead to our party were busy; we spent a considerable amount of time planning it out. Not just the food, but also the music list, the guest list. Coming up with the invitation, and the decor. Needless to say the decor was for me the most exciting and challenging part. Thinking about what we might need on the day, creating and customising props and buying decor. Although I did most of the research, we chose everything together. Daniel also worked on building a wooden box from scratch, in which we put the cards the guests brought us on the day.

The party itself was filled with smiles and happy relatives and friends. It was also a get-together, as some of the guests we did not see for a good number of years! I thought, it was great, that we managed to do this. Especially for the fact that it was the first time in 24 years that my mother’s siblings were all under the same roof! Having family living overseas, makes it difficult for all of us to meet for every occasion, especially those who live as far as South Africa!

The blessing of the rings, and the cutting of the cake, were the highlight of the evening for us, mainly because of what they symbolise. The joining of two, who have the same outlook and dreams in life. To love, and to cherish. Now onto the big day next year!

Taking on your first mortgage will be the greatest financial decision of your life, and will have an impact on your finances for a long time to come. Before you decide to leave the nest or your rented accommodation, you need to make sure you are aware of the commitments and responsibilities that come with getting on the property ladder. While you will be able to build long term assets, a part of your income will be tied up for decades. To help you make the right decision, we have provided a few tips below.

Once you start thinking about getting your own place, you have to research the areas you can afford. There is no point stretching beyond your means, or you will end up getting yourself into trouble. Be realistic about your location. You cannot move in to a 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom mansion, unless you have a higher executive salary. Start small and make sure you can afford the repayments. Use an online mortgage calculator to get an estimate of the cost of getting a house on a loan.

2. Get Your Finances in Shape

Whether you are living in a rental property or with your parents, you need to make sure that you don’t have too much outstanding debt. Check out your consolidation options and find the right way of managing your credit. You will be more likely to get accepted for a mortgage if you only have one credit account, instead of debt all over the place on credit cards and car finance.

3. Check Your Credit Rating and Compare Rates

Before you would make an application and start planning your move, looking for properties, you must be sure that you are considered creditworthy by banks. The main indicator of whether or not you will be accepted for a mortgage is your credit score. Check it and find ways of improving it. If you live with your parents and are planning on leaving the nest, chances are you have little or no credit history. It might be worth to consider applying for a credit card and making a few payments to build up your score before thinking about mortgages.

You need to be realistic about what you can afford and maintain. Find out exactly how much it will cost you to maintain the property and pay the bills. There are several calculators online that will give you the estimated running cost of the property you have your eyes on. This way, you can budget better and will not stretch yourself too far.

5. Get a Stable Job

It is also important that you get a stable job before you apply for a mortgage. It will not only help you get a mortgage, but also give you a peace of mind that you can make the repayments.

Before you could jump on the property ladder, you need to make sure that your finances are in order, and you can afford to make the repayments for the next few decades.

Everyone daydreams about one day moving out of their parent’s house. The idea of your own space that you can manage yourself and have privacy is just like gold for a teenager. The thing is, there are a lot of things that you need to learn before you move out of your parents’ house; whether you’re a teenager or not. There’s no shame in sticking around at home until you have that house deposit saved or you find the right house for you to move into.

However, what is shameful is moving out of your parent’s house and having little to no life skills! No laundry fairy or dishwashing fairy is going to magically clean your things for you, and by fairy, we mean your Mom. You have to stand on your own two feet, just as you do with your job. You go out every day and you collect your paycheck, and that responsibility is something you’ve taken ownership of. Before you move into your first home, there are some other lessons that you need to learn and here they are:

Basic Cooking. There’s nothing satisfying about living on microwave meals or Ramen with cold cuts. Learning to cook a few simple, healthy dishes that don’t take too many ingredients is something that you should learn before you venture out on your own. No one else is going to look after your health, so you have to.

Basic Budgeting. You’re in a job already and ideally you are paying for your phone bill and paying a little housekeeping at home. If you learn to budget your money, you can use services like debtconsolidation.co to keep your outgoings as low as possible while still paying creditors. The more money you free up, the more you have for fun things like travelling and shopping!

Basic Healthcare. Taking a first aid course and learning how to patch up a wound and which medications you should always have in your medicine cabinet is important. You need to know what to do to help yourself if you have migraine or any other illness that doesn’t require a doctor.

Basic Housekeeping. Living alone means learning how to clean up after yourself, iron and launder your own clothes and learn how to unclog a toilet. Moving out means gaining the ultimate independence, so you need to know how to do these things to be self-sufficient.

Basic DIY. Replacing a lightbulb or a fuse and fixing a broken appliance are beyond a lot of people, but if you teach yourself these skills before you leave home, you can save yourself some cash on hiring out the professionals to do it for you.

Moving away from your parent’s house – no matter how old you are – is a difficult prospect. Exciting, but difficult. There’s no way to know whether you are truly prepared until you actually move out. Spend time practicing at your parent’s house before you go so you can ask as many questions as you need before you go.

The beginning of a new year is often a fresh start for many people. For some, it can be a daunting thought that it’s just going to be the same old, but in a different year and that can be depressing for some, especially when you see people on social media appearing to have much better lives than you do. If this is sounding familiar then you more than likely need a confidence boost, and a helping hand to feeling better about yourself. Here are some ways in which you can feel better about yourself this year.

Eat cleaner

A common reason for someone feeling sluggish and down in the dumps is purely down to the fact that you’re not eating the right foods. Junk food will bring you down in many ways, not just your weight. It will cause you to breakout in spots, have drier skin, and it can even affect your mental state of mind. Try eating cleaner and you will feel much better in yourself quicker than you think. You will notice that you’re less bloated, your skin will clear up, and you will have much more energy than before; therefore having a brighter outlook on life.

Sort out money matters

Another reason that people feel down in the dumps is because money is tight or their is a debt looming over their shoulders. Take on some extra hours at work or get another part time job so that you can build money up and not feel like you’re living paycheck to paycheck. If you’re in debt and are worrying about how to pay off what you owe, it might be worth thinking about borrowing money to consolidate all existing debts into one loan and paying just one thing off every month. Take a look at these small unsecured personal loans and see if there’s anything that can help solve your situation.

Try something new

Trying something new can give you a brighter outlook on life almost instantly. This could range from trying a new place to eat out with your partner, or it could be taking on a new hobby that you haven’t tried before. Hobbies don’t have to cost much (if anything) either, and they can bring a new breath of fresh air into your life and make you feel better. Alternatively, if you’ve got something that’s been on a bucket list of yours, then why not take the opportunity to tick off something on your list?!

Have a clear-out

Having a cluttered home can bring even the strongest of people down. Take some time to clear out your home of unwanted belongings and give it a deep clean. Having a fresh clean home can make you much happier, and if things are more organised you’re likely to keep it clear too.

Finally, if you’re feeling hopeless a lot, don’t hesitate to speak to your GP. Depression is nothing to be ashamed of and you should never suffer alone!

My Articles by Date

Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth. Not possible, as life changes a person, and we all grow... hopefully for the better. This is an online journal of my thoughts, my findings, and my lessons learned.